


Statement of Bishop Douglas J. Lucia: Buffalo shootings
May 20, 2022 Last Saturday, racist and horrifying violence took the lives of ten people in Buffalo who were just trying to make a living for their families or to get some shopping errands done. It injured three other persons as well, along with...
A ‘definitive moment’: James Buttner ordained a transitional deacon
The first step in Holy Orders to the priesthood By Dc Tom Cuskey | Editor Seminarian James Buttner took a significant, joyous step Saturday in his journey toward priesthood when he was ordained to the Order of Deacon by Bishop Douglas J. Lucia. The ordination took...
Congregations seek prayers for healing and a sign for sainthood
By Dc Tom Cuskey | Editor “I am writing to ask for your prayer for Jimmer, a man from the Syracuse area, who is suffering from ALS, and wants prayers for his healing through Blessed Carlo Acutis’ intercession.” This was the opening sentence of...
At CNY Marian Center, ‘you see people convert their lives’
Editor’s note: This is Part 1 of a two-part feature on the Central New York Marian Center in honor of Mary’s month, May; Part 2 will appear in next week’s Sun. Founder: They ‘come in wanting, there’s a yearning … to be...
Grimes principal selected for U.S. Navy Educator Orientation Visit
Bishop Grimes Jr./Sr. High School Principal Allyson Headd, ’08, has been selected as one of five educators, administrators and community leaders from New York and Pennsylvania to attend an Educator Orientation Visit (EOV) in San Diego, Calif. Sponsored by Navy...
‘Here comes everyone’: DPC gets listening-sessions update
Over 750 parishioners attend so far; 143 send in written replies By Eileen Jevis | Staff writer The Diocesan Pastoral Council (DPC) met on Saturday, May 7, at Holy Cross Church in DeWitt for its concluding meeting of the 2021-2022 year. The DPC is an...
Brady Faith Center keeps changing lives for the better
Twenty-plus programs serve underrepresented folks in Syracuse By Eileen M. Clinton | Contributing writer The Brady Faith Center, Market and Farm have had to deal with COVID-19 issues like everyone else in the last year, but one year later all of these three service...
Relics of Beloved St. Bernadette to visit Syracuse Diocese
By Barry Vaughn | Contributing writer During May, the month of Our Lady, the Syracuse Diocese will experience an extraordinary event — the visit of the relics of St. Bernadette of Lourdes. This visit will occur on Memorial Day weekend at Holy Family Parish in...
Faith and service: foundational blocks in building catechesis
This is the third of four installments in a series on the work of the Office of Catechesis and the different models of catechetical instruction in the Diocese. By Dc. Tom Picciano | Contributing Writer “We teach our children that Jesus Christ is in...
With song and seeds, kids brighten this little chapel of mine
By Tom Maguire | Associate editor The rest of the school had a test day; the kindergartners through second graders got their quiz from the Bishop. Bishop Douglas J. Lucia presided at a Blessing of the Seeds Ceremony April 27 at the Most Holy Rosary chapel in Syracuse....
In memoriam: Sister Kathleen Ann Mathew Osbelt, OSF
Sister Kathleen Osbelt, OSF, died May 4, 2022, at Francis House, the home for the terminally ill that she had founded in 1991 in Syracuse. Sister was born in Syracuse, to Roy M. and Anna Mae Osbelt. She was 71 years of age and had been a Sister of St. Francis...
Polish dignitaries visit Cathedral, talk about Ukraine
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception hosted notable guests this past week as the Deputy Prime Minister of Poland and his team visited the diocesan mother church. Bishop Douglas J. Lucia welcomed Piotr Gliński and his delegation, conducting a tour of...
Catholic Sun associate editor Tom Maguire wins writing contest
Catholic Sun associate editor Tom Maguire took a first place in the 44th annual Professional Recognition Awards of the Syracuse Press Club. SPC members are journalists, educators, students and communications professionals working in Central and Northern New...
Cinco de Mayo greeting from St. Anthony’s, Syracuse
In case you missed this on our Facebook page last week on May 5: Feliz y bendecido mes de Mayo, el mes en que celebramos a nuestra Santa Madre María, pedimos sus bendiciones y protección, y también les deseamos que la celebración del cinco...
‘We ask you to strengthen us … as followers of the way’
Bishop joins other religious leaders for National Day of Prayer By Tom Maguire | Associate editor He bicycled 16 miles before arriving at the ceremony, so he believes in exercise. He also believes in prayer. Wearing his chartreuse biking jacket and leaning back on his...
Mother’s Day; four sides to a story of motherhood
By Dc. Tom Cuskey | Editor Mom. The dictionary should provide synonyms for this three-letter title that include, in alpha order: advisor, advocate, caregiver, cleaner, confidant, cook, defender, disciplinarian, fan, friend, guardian, guide, lover, negotiator, nurse,...
Brothers’ state-champs banner gets an upgrade!
Titlists in football, bowling add their names to list of CBA greats By Tom Maguire | Associate editor The fan base is huge. And the teams justify it. At Christian Brothers Academy, the buzz from the grandstand was audible April 20 in the farthest parking lot before...
Communion candidates encounter Christ through First Eucharist
By Eileen Jevis | Staff Writer In the April 28 issue of The Catholic Sun, Andrea Slaven, M.Ed., M.A., director of Catechesis for the Diocese of Syracuse, wrote what was the first of a four-article series focusing on the Office of Catechesis and the different...
Basilica donations support Polish volunteer efforts to help Ukraine
By Dc Tom Cuskey | Editor A few weeks ago, all parishes in the Diocese of Syracuse were asked to participate in a special collection to aid the people of Ukraine in their time of great need. For the people of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the...
Catechesis: Leading others to live the truth in love
By Andrea Slaven | Contributing writer Editor’s note: Andrea Slaven, M.Ed.; M.A. Instructional Technology, is the Director of Catechesis for the Diocese of Syracuse. This is the first of a four-article series focusing on the Office of Catechesis and the...
‘Like a pilgrimage site’: Divine Mercy Sunday with Bishop
By Tom Maguire | Associate editor It seemed like the logical place to be: Divine Mercy Parish on Divine Mercy Sunday. “It is Divine Mercy Sunday. So I wanted to do something special,” said Mary Louise Therese (Olszewski) Isgar, one of the more than 100...
Binghamton pastor speaks on care of our environment
By Kathryne Sparaco | Contribututing writer Father Tim Taugher remembers well the first ever Earth Day, held on April 22, 1970. A student at Catholic Central High School in Binghamton at the time, he recalls the activity, the energy and the enthusiasm concerning plans...
Brian DuSell returns home to assume Cathedral music reins
By Dan Hurley | Contributing Writer Brian DuSell is a seasoned organist, choir leader and liturgist who comes from Central New York. His education and career path have taken him to the Midwest and the West Coast. This spring he returns to join the Cathedral of the...
Guardian Angel Society celebrates 25 years of service
By Eileen Jevis | Staff writer “Serving others both helps those in need and creates contented hearts in those who are serving.” — Father Joseph Champlin These words, spoken by Father Joseph Champlin, inspire his staff to carry on his vision....
Things get ‘upcycled,’ naturally, at Rome Catholic School
The second-grade class at Rome Catholic School created a project for Earth Day. The second-graders in Mrs. Tien’s and Mrs. White’s class learned about the importance of taking care of the Earth. They created an “upcycled” art project using both...
‘Messenger of joy’ Father John Catoir dies; directed The Christophers
CARY, N.C. (CNS) — Father John Catoir, president and founder of St. Jude Media Ministry and a former director of The Christophers, died April 7 in Cary. He was 90. A retired priest of the Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey, he had resided in North Carolina...
Father Keeffe’s legacy: all for the refugees
Family to move into late priest’s home; couple donates $50,000 for repairs By Tom Maguire | Associate editor The house with “good bones” now fills out with a refugee family. Father Anthony Keeffe, who died last year, bequeathed his family home to All...
Charge your car, charge your soul
St. Mary’s Church in Baldwinsville Installs car-charging stations By Eileen Jevis | Staff writer St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Baldwinsville is located on a busy thoroughfare near the NYS Thruway and Route 690. When Deacon Joe Casper heard about a grant...